UK public health alert over Ebola outbreak as doctors urge to 'be alert to symptoms'

The UK Health Security Agency is currently monitoring an outbreak of Ebola in Uganda - but the risk to the public in the UK is very low and there is currently no confirmed cases of the disease in this country

The risk to the public in the UK is very low and there are currently no confirmed cases of the disease in the UK (

Image: AFP via Getty Images

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently monitoring an outbreak of Ebola virus cases in Uganda.

The risk to the public in the UK is very low and there are currently no confirmed cases of the disease in the UK.

A public health alert has been issued to urge healthcare professionals to be alert to the symptoms of patients who have recently returned from affected areas and to remind them of established procedures for infection control and testing.< /p>

Ebola virus disease is a rare but serious infection. It is caused by the Ebola virus, a filovirus first recognized in 1976 and which has since caused sporadic outbreaks in several African countries.

Health workers from the Guinean Ministry of Health prepare forms to register medical personnel before their ebola vaccinations (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA's Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, said: "UKHSA is continuously monitoring emerging infection threats in collaboration with partners around the world.

"We are aware of an outbreak of Ebola cases in Uganda and are monitoring the situation closely.

"The risk to the public in the UK is very low."

It comes as a deadly virus in monkeys with Ebola-like symptoms is 'about to spread' to humans, posing a pandemic threat, scientists warn.